At least five Filipinos are confirmed missing after a Chinese fishing vessel where they were working capsized in the Indian Ocean, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said Wednesday.
Huang said the embassy is already coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other concerned agencies regarding the maritime incident.
"Sad to learn reports of the capsizing of a Chinese fishing vessel, the Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028 (LPY28), where 39 sailors, including 17 Chinese and 5 Filipino citizens were confirmed missing," the ambassador said in a Facebook post.
Huang said Beijing also immediately activated an emergency response mechanism to verify the situation, send rescue forces and coordinate the international maritime search and rescue assistance.
Beijing also made "every effort to contact all relevant parties and coordinate the search and rescue work," he added.
Following the incident, two Chinese vessels, the Lu Peng Yuan Yu 108 and COSCO-registered Yuan Fu Hai, arrived near the last known location of the LPY28 to begin investigations and search and rescue operations.
The DFA said it "is aware and is closely monitoring the situation."